Reflection: The Feast of Visitation

Reflection given by Kitty Lawlor, BVM on the Feast of the Visitation, May 31, 2022.

“Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste” because she needed someone to talk to after the Angel left her with such astonishing news. She hastened to her older cousin, Elizabeth, because she knew that from her she would find understanding and encouragement. Mary needed someone to listen and to counsel her and she found it in Elizabeth. Elizabeth was God’s way of supporting Mary through the miracle that lay ahead.

The Church, through the ages, knew how important this journey of Mary’s was because it included her haste to Elizabeth in the second mystery of the Rosary’s Joyful Mysteries—The Visitation.

Mary Frances Clarke knew about the importance of finding support in one another. She wrote to Sister Mary Berchmans Feller, who claimed she was discriminated against because of her German ancestry.  In her letter to Berchmans, Mary Frances said, “Sister Mary Sebastian is a good Sister, Always ask her council and advice”. The results of this “council and advise” created a rule in the 1877 Rule Book which stated, “Let everyone be careful in their conversation not to praise their own nationality to the seeming contempt of others; but let them show charity in all things, and let them emulate with all their might, those whom they know to be more advanced in the way of perfection, no matter to what nation they belong.”

Mother Clarke wished the supportive conversations of the Sisters to continue in their correspondence. In the first custom book we read, “We should meet in our correspondence for the same reason that we hold converse, to help… to console…to gladden. Such letters will be the links of a golden chain of sweet charity, binding together the members and even the mission of the Congregation . . .”

During my first days in the classroom I often went across the hall to Sister Mary Frances Borgia’s McLauglin’s classroom because I needed someone to talk to. Sister Mary Frances Borgia was my Elizabeth. She listened to me, counseled, encouraged, and got me though the day.  She was God supporting me as I began the Congregation’s ministry. What sincere thanks I owe her as I near the celebration of my 75th anniversary.

All of us, as we leaf through our memories today, can name our Elizabeths, the sisters who listened to us, the ones who encouraged us, those who supported us. In them we felt the power of community. Their support was God’s support. It is fulfilling our BVM Constitution which states, “It is the responsibility and privilege of each sister to contribute to the community according to her gifts and circumstances.”

Although our gifts and circumstances may be very limited now, we can still contribute and join with Mary as she says, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”